标签： Trinidad and Tobago

A decade-long legal proceeding reached its conclusion this week as Shervon Darvick “Batman” Grant received his final sentencing for the 2014 fatal stabbing of Damien Alexander. Justice Devan Rampersad presided over the case at the High Court, delivering a sentence that accounts for Grant’s extensive pre-trial incarceration and guilty plea.

The incident traces back to June 7, 2014, when a violent confrontation erupted outside the Universal Bar in St. James at approximately 4:10 am. Surveillance footage and witness accounts detailed how Grant, then 32, engaged in a heated argument with Alexander that escalated dramatically. During the altercation, Grant shattered a Carib beer bottle and wielded the broken implement, resulting in a severe neck wound that proved fatal.

Emergency responders transported Alexander to St. James Hospital before transferring him to Port of Spain General Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. Crime scene investigators documented critical evidence including the broken bottle, blood samples, and a blood-soaked bandana. Grant was apprehended shortly thereafter at Freddie’s Bakery on Church Street.

Forensic pathologist Dr. Hugh Des Vignes confirmed the cause of death as a single stab or incised wound to the neck. During police interrogation on June 9, 2014, Grant acknowledged his presence at the scene and admitted to the stabbing after reviewing CCTV evidence.

The judicial process spanned eleven years, beginning with murder charges filed on June 13, 2014. The case progressed through preliminary inquiries from 2015-2017, culminating in indictment proceedings in 2021. A breakthrough occurred in November 2025 when Grant, through his legal representatives Tristle Khan-Leu and Tracy Wiltshire, negotiated a plea agreement with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, reducing the charge to manslaughter.

In mitigation arguments, the defense emphasized the spontaneous nature of the offense, noting Grant’s intoxication during the incident and his immediate cooperation with authorities. The court received documentation of Grant’s rehabilitation efforts during his 11-year, 7-month pre-sentence detention, including academic pursuits, prison programming, and his role as assistant pastor with The Way of Holiness ministry.

Justice Rampersad evaluated multiple sentencing factors including retribution, deterrence, public protection, and rehabilitation. The final judgment incorporated substantial credit for time served and the guilty plea, resulting in a remaining sentence of just over four years.

A profound letter of remorse from Grant was entered into the court record, expressing deep regret to Alexander’s family: “I know that what I did was wrong, and I take full responsibility for my actions. I know that being ‘out of it’ is no excuse. A person’s life is precious, and I had no right to take his.” Grant additionally apologized to his own family for the shame and pain caused by his actions, detailing his spiritual transformation and commitment to societal reintegration.

After 27 remarkable years in journalism, Clint Chan Tack has penned a heartfelt farewell to Newsday, the Trinidad-based publication he served with unwavering dedication since 1998. His reflective account traces an extraordinary career that began fresh from completing his Bachelor of Arts degree at UWI’s St. Augustine campus, when he first stepped into Newsday’s former Chacon Street office in Port of Spain.

Chan Tack’s journey commenced at Newsday’s South Bureau in San Fernando, a modest windowless space within the Courts Building on High Street. There, under the mentorship of seasoned colleagues including Richard Charan, Azard Ali, Azlan Mohammed, Sascha Wilson and Sunil Ramjitsingh, he cultivated the foundational skills of reporting and developed a profound love for journalism.

The influential leadership of founding editor-in-chief Therese Mills left an indelible mark on Chan Tack’s professional development. He recalls her as both forthright and wise, offering balanced praise and constructive criticism that shaped his journalistic approach. Another pivotal figure, Anil Goorahoo, helped craft his first byline story with the enduring advice: “Keep it straight, simple and stupid.”

Chan Tack’s career evolved from covering courts and general news to specializing in political journalism, a transition he attributes to observing parliamentary proceedings in 1999. He witnessed firsthand the dramatic transformation of political adversaries Patrick Manning and Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj from friendly colleagues to fierce opponents during House of Representatives sessions.

Over his extensive career, Chan Tack covered every major electoral event from 1999 to 2026, including general, local government, Tobago House of Assembly elections, and by-elections. He reported on historic moments such as Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s election as Trinidad and Tobago’s first female prime minister in 2010 and her subsequent reelection in 2025.

His professional portfolio expanded to international journalism when he covered several CARICOM Heads of Government conferences across the region. Particularly memorable was Trinidad’s hosting of the Fifth Summit of the Americas in 2009, which marked the regional debut of newly elected US President Barack Obama, and the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting where he witnessed Queen Elizabeth II speak with characteristic grace and gravitas.

Chan Tack also excelled in economic reporting, leading coverage of budget presentations by finance ministers including Winston Dookeran, Larry Howai, Karen Nunez-Tesheira, Colm Imbert and Davendranath Tancoo. His brief tenure as editor of Newsday’s Business Day magazine provided additional insight under the guidance of creator Rory Rostant, whose work ethic he describes as “unmatched.”

In his farewell, Chan Tack pays tribute to numerous colleagues who embodied Newsday’s commitment to journalistic excellence, including late chief photographer Rattan Joo, whose trained eye and brutal honesty set professional standards. He reflects on the publication’s legacy as a journalistic “David” that consistently challenged media “Goliaths” and prevailed against considerable odds.

His emotional departure from Newsday’s Carlton Centre office marks the end of an era, both personally and for the publication he served for nearly three decades. Chan Tack concludes with a hopeful message that Newsday’s core values of trust, integrity and character will endure as timeless virtues in an ever-evolving media landscape.

After nearly three decades of dedicated service, veteran journalist Jada Loutoo bids farewell to Newsday as the newspaper prepares to print its final edition. Her reflective account traces a remarkable journey that began in June 1996 when she joined the newsroom as a teenager, following in the footsteps of her journalist father whose typewriter and editorial wisdom shaped her early aspirations.

Loutoo’s career spanned significant technological transformations, from typewriters to computers, yet she emphasizes that the core mission of storytelling remained constant. She credits several mentors for her professional development, including former Sunday Editor Mr. Clevon Raphael, the late Lennox Forde, Horace Monsegue, and the ‘incomparable’ Editor-in-Chief Therese Mills, who shared invaluable lessons from her own journalistic experience.

The newsroom culture at Newsday was characterized by deep familial bonds, with colleagues spending more time together than with their own families. Loutoo fondly recalls colleagues like Lara (her daughter’s godmother), Veela, Sam, Gyasi, and many others who formed this journalistic family, including those in the pagination department and administrative staff like Sasha.

One particularly poignant memory involves working through the September 11 terror attacks while heavily pregnant, producing stories from television coverage when wire services failed. She worked until the day before giving birth, demonstrating the extraordinary commitment that defined her career—though this dedication sometimes meant missing family events and birthdays, a sacrifice noted by her mother who remained her ‘rock.’

Loutoo’s roles evolved significantly over the years, from reporter to assignments editor managing newsgathering operations, and eventually to Court Editor covering legal affairs. Throughout these transitions, she maintained the newspaper’s weekend and holiday operations, collaborating across departments.

She reflects on the philosophical guidance from newsroom leaders, including Mr. Babb’s insistence that ‘there is always a story to tell’ and Mrs. Mills’ perspective that journalism served a purpose similar to religious texts: to inform, teach, and bear witness. This ethos fueled ambitious projects like Rave magazine for young readers and even principled stands such as boycotting media awards.

As Newsday concludes its publication, Loutoo acknowledges that the newspaper leaves behind more than printed pages—it leaves a legacy of trust, meaningful stories, and the countless individuals who made it a family rather than merely a workplace.

After nearly two decades of dedicated journalism, photojournalist Angelo Marcelle is reflecting on an extraordinary career built on immersive storytelling that transcended conventional reporting. Since 2005, Marcelle has pursued what he describes as both a calling and a responsibility—documenting the diverse human experiences that define his nation through firsthand participation rather than mere observation.

Marcelle’s methodology involved extraordinary immersion into marginalized communities. He spent nights homeless on the streets of Arima, not for dramatic effect but to genuinely comprehend the isolation, hunger, and resilience that characterize street life. His commitment extended to working as a sanitation laborer, performing grueling waste collection under intense heat to highlight the undervalued workers who maintain urban cleanliness without adequate recognition.

In one particularly powerful experiment, the journalist confined himself to a wheelchair to navigate Arima’s infrastructure, directly experiencing the physical barriers and accessibility challenges that disabled citizens confront daily. These experiential investigations fundamentally transformed Marcelle’s perspective, cultivating what he describes as empathy that transcends statistical reporting and headline journalism.

Throughout his career, Marcelle maintained that authentic journalism must honor human narratives, amplify silenced voices, and challenge systemic failures. His work represents a fusion of photojournalism and social advocacy, creating documentary evidence that both informs and inspires societal reflection. The journalist credits his readers with giving purpose to these stories through their engagement, discussion, and shared concern for the communities he documented.

Marcelle’s approach demonstrates how journalism can serve as a bridge between segregated social realities, fostering greater understanding through empathetic immersion and visual storytelling that respects both its subjects and audience.

Faith Ayoung, Newsday’s youngest photographic recruit who joined the organization on January 3, 2024, has reflected on her transformative journey from university graduate to seasoned photojournalist. Her career began during one of Trinidad and Tobago’s most significant state events—the funeral of former Prime Minister Basdeo Panday—which she describes as a ‘baptism of fire’ rather than a conventional introduction to journalism.

Under the mentorship of then-Chief Photographer Jeff K Mayers, Ayoung learned to navigate the complexities of major event coverage, from capturing crowd reactions and atmospheric details to documenting the core proceedings of a state funeral. The emotional and physical exhaustion of that first major assignment became a recurring theme throughout her tenure, with days spent ‘running, hopping, climbing, and brisk walking’ across Port of Spain to secure the perfect shot that could tell a thousand words.

Ayoung credits her growth not only to photographic development but also to acquiring writing skills with the support of colleagues including Debra Greaves, Carol Quash, Veela Mungal, Angelo Marcelle, Paula Lindo, and Melissa Doughty. She particularly acknowledges Melanie Waithe for enduring her constant queries and the broader team of sub-editors, reporters, and management who supported her journey.

The photographer expressed profound gratitude for the opportunity to work alongside what she describes as ‘an amazing group of talented and naturally gifted individuals.’ She concluded with optimistic anticipation for her colleagues’ future endeavors, hoping they would continue to ‘dance and celebrate blessings’ in their next chapters, just as they did at their farewell gathering on January 27.